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Not sure why Shiel and Wingard need to be compared.. very different players.
Wingard's still a bit of an unpolished gem, and it will take a coach of Clarkson's talent to determine exactly where to deploy him and bring out his considerable strengths.
The forward role was attempted numerous times but he seemed to have lost some of his explosiveness and ability to put distance between his direct opponent like he had earlier in his career. Outside of the odd highlight he appeared to grow frustrated within games at spending extended periods out of the play.
Most Port supporters wanted him in the midfield as he seemed to do his best work here as a clever and skilful clearance player, and this is where he spent the back end of our 2018. But I suspect he never got his fitness to a tolerable state to make him viable as a modern day, two way running, block and shepherding multi-dimensional mid. He could certainly pull some numbers here but it's hard to say how effective he was considering we went from an 11-4 team to missing finals.
Reports out of Hawthorn were that he'd lost 7 kg which is a huge start, and perhaps he was finding motivation in a new environment and with a fair kick up the bum.. I swear I'd heard he was even watching games of AFL footy outside those he played in (which he never was interested in doing at all at Port). But the calf injury can't have helped and perhaps it's a case of too much, too soon for elevating his fitness level.
Going to be very interesting to see what Chad we will get, if Clarkson can't squeeze the performance out of him then no one can.
Wingard's still a bit of an unpolished gem, and it will take a coach of Clarkson's talent to determine exactly where to deploy him and bring out his considerable strengths.
The forward role was attempted numerous times but he seemed to have lost some of his explosiveness and ability to put distance between his direct opponent like he had earlier in his career. Outside of the odd highlight he appeared to grow frustrated within games at spending extended periods out of the play.
Most Port supporters wanted him in the midfield as he seemed to do his best work here as a clever and skilful clearance player, and this is where he spent the back end of our 2018. But I suspect he never got his fitness to a tolerable state to make him viable as a modern day, two way running, block and shepherding multi-dimensional mid. He could certainly pull some numbers here but it's hard to say how effective he was considering we went from an 11-4 team to missing finals.
Reports out of Hawthorn were that he'd lost 7 kg which is a huge start, and perhaps he was finding motivation in a new environment and with a fair kick up the bum.. I swear I'd heard he was even watching games of AFL footy outside those he played in (which he never was interested in doing at all at Port). But the calf injury can't have helped and perhaps it's a case of too much, too soon for elevating his fitness level.
Going to be very interesting to see what Chad we will get, if Clarkson can't squeeze the performance out of him then no one can.

